Folding case



UNITED Squyresg x PATENT OEFIYCE.

EENRTT c., EAY, oE WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

FOLDING CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters PatentrNo'. 382,804. dated May 15, 188B.

Application filed August (i, 71885. Serial No. 173,333.`-1(Model.) 4 v l To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY C. FAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Worcester, in the county of Worcester and State of Massad 5 chusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in FoldingCases, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in Which- Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a [o trunk-shaped case embodying my invention. Fig. 2'shows a rear elevation of the` same. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the case as folded. Fig. -i is a transverse sectional View of a part of the case. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of i 5 thelid. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional View of a part of the case, and Fig. 7 is a longitudinal view Showing the spring-bottoni.

Similar letters refer to similar parts in the several views.

My invent-ion relates to a folding case in which the parts are so arranged that the case may be varied in size; and it consists in the construction and arrangement of the parts, as hereinafter described and claimed.

2 5 A A are sides rigidly attachedto the bottom B, Fig. 4, and O Gf are end pieces,also attached to the bottom B. To the fixed end .pieces CA C are hinged the end pieces D D', by ahinged joint. (Shown in section in Fig. 6.) The hinged edges are beveled on their inner sides, and to the beveled surfaces ci a, I attach the leaves of the hinges b b and the strips of rubber or leather c, thus forming an insecttight joint. A

The hinged end pieces,when folded, assume Athe position indicated by' broken lines D2, and the upper edges ofthe end pieces, resting on the posts d d, hold the ends parallel with the bottom of the case, forming a support for the hinged sides E E When folded in, and inclosing a space, e, adapted to hold any contents which it may be desired to retain in the case when folded.

' rIhe side pieces, E E', are hinged, as shown in sectional view in Fig. 4, the leaves of the hinges being attached to the edges, with the pintles on the inner side, so that when the sides are opened they will be held from falling outward, and are also held from falling inward by 5o means of the ends D D. The ends D-D are maintained in an uprightposition by asliding pin or bolt, f, or any other equivalent method of fastening. f

One ofthe sides is hinged far enough above the bottom so that the hinged side piece -E 55 willL fold in and lie in ahorizontal position on the upper surfaces ofthe folded ends D D', and the opposite side, E', is hinged enough higher. f so it will rest, when folded in a horizontal position, on the side E, asshown by broken linges in Fig. 4. Il", however, the case is so made that the hinged sides do not overlap, both may be hinged the Same distance from the bottom B. In ,the upper edge of the hinged piece E, I insert the metal block g, having a dovetailed re- 65 cess to receive the leaves of the lid-hinges, which I hold securely in place by a pin, h, passing through the leaf and block g.

To the front edge of the lid I attach a hasp,

F, containing a lock having a button,y ,adapted 7g to engage the socket G on the hinged side E.

In the upper ledge of the fixed side A', I place lmetal blocks j, similar to those in E', and having similar dovetailed grooves, j.

When the case is to be folded,the leaves of 7 5 the lid-hinges held in the blocks g are removed, the ends and sides of the case foldedin, and i the leaves placed in the dovetailed grooves j and the lid locked in the socket G onthe fixed side A.' When the vside E is folded over the so side E, the lid or cover is notched at H, to fit the side E. In order' to close the space be-` tween the case and lid against the passage of. insects,I place a line of rubber tubing, la, around the edge ofthe lid,in position to be compressed 8 3 when the lid is closed over` the folded sides E and E', and a similar line of elastic tubing l may be placed between the fixed and hinged sides A and E and A and E'. Around the edges of the lid is a flange, I, as is usual in trunk-lids, and in order to hermetically seal the space occupied by the notch H, I place a line of elastic tubing, Il, between the inner side of the ange I and outer sideof the ends C C. The elastic tubing L may -beattached to the inner surface of the flange I, as shown in Fig. 5, or it may be fastened directly to the outer surface of the case.

` For most purposes towhich my improved case is adaptedsuch as the carriage of fruit, ,Ice`r eggs, or other fragile articles-I use a movable bottom, J, resting on and supported by springs ZZ,which are held on lugs projecting inwardly from the sides or ends of the case, or they are supported, as illustrated in Fig. 7, by the fixed bottom B.

The hinged ends D D may either be hinged at such height above the bottom B as will afford the required space e when the case is folded, or in some cases the ends D D will be hinged directly to the bottom of the case.

WhatI claim as my invention, and' desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, with a folding case or box whose sides are provided with dovetailed grooves,of a detachablelid,and hinges attached to said lid provided with leaves adapted to be inserted in said dovetailed grooves, whereby the lid is attached to said case or box, substantially as described.

2. In a folding case or box, the combination of a rigid and a folding section, substantially as described, each of said sections being provided with dovetailed grooves, and a lid hav ing hinges provided with leaves adapted to be inserted in said dovetailed grooves, substantially as described.

3. In a box or case, the sides provided with dovetailed grooves to receive the leaves of the lid-hinges, a detachable lid having hinges, each of which is provided with a leaf which is adapted to enter one of said grooves,and a pin passing through said leaves into the box,where by the lid is attached to the box or case, substantially as described.

4. In a folding case, the sides A A'and C C',

attached to the bottom of the case, folding sides E E, folding ends D D', the edges of the sides A and E being provided with grooves, as described, and a detachable lid having hinges whose leaves are adapted to enter and be held in said grooves,and an elastic packing between said lid and the sides of said box or case, substantially as described.

HENRY C. FAY.

W'itnesses: CHARLES F. STEVENS,

RUFUs BENNETT FOWLER. 

